Gas and similar meter



July 18, 1933. s. SIMPSON ET AL 1,918,875

GAS AND SIMILAR METER Filed Feb. '7, 1951 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Fig.1.

bd d 6 1 A f i Inventors ,5. $4- a". 11 Smu v July 18, 1933. s. SIMPSON ET AL 1,918,875

GAS AND SIMILAR METER Filed Feb. 7, 1931 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 'd g g r r 4 11 u P July 18, 1933. s. SIMPSON ET AL.

GAS AND SIMILAR METER 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Feb. '7, 1931 Fig.7.

Fig.9.

Inventors 5. Sim/201m 67 n. Sybil 1 Attarney.

Patented July 18, 1933 UNETED STATES. PATENT OFFICE STEPHEN SIMP$ON, OF EXMO'UTH, ERNEST W'J ILLIAM'SMITH, OF LONDON, AND SAND- LZQRD ROBINSON, OF LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND, ASSIGNORS TO UNITED GAS 'INDUS- TREES LIMITED, OF LONDON, ENGLAND GAS AND SIMILAR-METER Application filed February 7,1931, Serial No. 514,228,-and in Great Britain February 12,1930."

This invention relates to pre-payment mechanism of gas and similarmeters, and is especially applicable to mechanism the subject-matter of the British prior Patents Nos. 288,867 and 292,705. Thus the invention relates to coin mechanism adapted for use with coins of difierent values such as one shilling and one penny, and it has among its objects to secure a slower speed of the spindle which projects from the upper gas or valve chamber of the meter, to provide simple means adapted by a single adjustment to render the mechanism operable in the use of the intended coin and to efiect the corresponding change in the quantity of gas to be supplied according to the value of the coin intended to be used and 'enerally to improve the construction and operation of pre-payment mechanism of gas and similar meters that are adapted for use with coins of dillerent values.

According to the invention thecoin holder is provided with means comprising a stop plate, stop lever or the equivalent, which upon being set into a position for the reception of the coin of higher value (or of a lower value) and the coin holder restored to its position withinits casing, causes a change of gear between the operating spindle deriving movement from the meter, and a measuring screw formed as an. externally screwthreaded sleeve or its equivalent that is adapted to have imparted to it a rectilinear movement to open or to close thevalve, the movement to open the valve being effected on the operation of the coin holder on the insertion of a coin, while the movementtoclose the valve is efiected on the operation of the meter in the consequent movement of the measuring screw or its equivalent.

According to the invention moreover the measuring screw or its equivalent is adapted for the reception of a splined, square or other spindle that is free to move axially to cause the change of gear, and the spindle is set concentrically with, and is adapted to protrude at one end into, the coin holder casing, and the measuring wheel mounted within the casing is adapted to rotate with the spindle. lhus upon the stop plate, stop lever or the equivalent provided upon the coin holder,

supply of gas corresponding for example to i an inserted coin of lower value.

' According to the invention moreover the measuringscrew' or its equivalent passes within a surrounding rotatable and internally screw-threaded sleeve, adapted to be held from axial movement, and having mounted thereon so as to rotate therewith, a'sliding sleeve, whereby the sliding sleeve haslimparted to it the rotation of the internally screw-threaded sleeve. Means are provided within the internally screw-threaded sleeve and connected by or comprising such means as a transversely disposed pin passing through oppositely disposed longitudinal slots in the internally screw-threaded sleeve, by which the end of the axially movable spindle may cause the axial movement-of the sliding sleeve upon contact withitof the stop plate-or its equivalent on the insertion of the coin holder into .its casing. lBy such means the sliding sleeve on the insertion of the 'coin holder into its casing is adapted to have a movement imparted to it to bring a worm 7 wheel or other gear wheel carried by it, or

integrally formed upon it, from engagement with one worm or gear wheel into engagement with another, the respective gear ratios in the respective positions of the slidingsleeve being .determinedaccording to the respective coin values and the respective quantities of gas to be supplied, determined according to those values.

, The invention comprises the features here inafter described.

, The invention is illustrated by way of example the accompanying drawings, in

. which Figure l is a plan View partly in section v of the pre-payment mechanism provided according to the invention, in which the mechanism is indicated in the position of the -re spective parts for operation by a coin of lower value, such as a penny. Figure 2 illustrates a detail view of the 7 coin holder withdrawn from the coin holder casing, together with the parts upon which it is mounted, the coin holder being set for operation by a coin of lower value.

Figure 3 is a side elevation corresponding to Figure 2.

Figures 4-, 5 and 6 are views similar to Figures 1, 2 and 3 in which the respective parts are shown in the position for operation by a coin of a higher value, such as a shilling.

Figure 7 is a rear sectional View on the line BB, Figure 1.

Figure 8 is a rear sectional view on the line AA, Figure 1.

Figure 9 is a front view corresponding to Figure 1.

Figure 10 is a detail side elevation taken from the inner side of the coin holder, in which the parts are indicated in the posi- 'tions corresponding to that for operation by a coin of higher value, and

Figure 11 is a transverse sectional View through the coin holder in the position of the parts set for operation by a coin of '30 lower value.

In carrying the invention into effect according to one construction that is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, the

w coin holder a is mounted upon the inner face of a disc Z) in a position normal to its face, and the disc 6 carrying the coin holder is mounted to rotate concentrically upon and in contact with the front plate 0 of the coin holder casing (Z, the front plate 0 being applied at the front of the said casing as in the construction of the prior patents aforesaid, the edges of the front plate 0 being suitably notched at c and calibrated in well-known manner to permit of its adjustment with respect to a pin (Z (Figure 9) mounted upon the flange (Z of the casing (Z, to vary the v angle through which the coin holder moves, and thus to determine the amount of gas to be supplied to the value of the respective coins that may be used.

The front plate ,0 may be secured in its position at the front of the casing d in an annular recessed part of the flange (Z prepared for its reception, and may be retained in that position by means of a retaining ring t whichin the illustrated construction has a curved rearwardly extending lug t (Figure 9) which enters a recess t in the frontwall in diametrically opposite position to that of the pin (l while an extension (6 may be provided upon the ring t in a diametrically opposite position to that of the lug t and may be adapted to be held in position by means such as a rotatable catch 25* which $5 may be held and locked in position for example by engagement of the hasp of the coin holder door, or otherwise, it being however understood that the retamlng ring 6 or the equivalent may be secured or locked in position in any usual or convenient manner, I

It will be understood that the inner periph-' eral edge of the retaining ring t may be recessed at t for the accommodation of the in al The disc 6 may advantageously be provided of a dish-shape to contact at the face of its peripheral flange b with the inner face of the flat front plate 0; and the disc 6 is mounted upon a pin by which the disc may be rotated by means of a radially disposed handle 5 The handle 6 may be so mount- 7 a ed upon the pin and beneath its external head 6 that it has a lost movement in known manner through a small arc of a circle, and the pin isprovided with an internal head 6 between which and the adjacent face of the disc 6, a bifurcated spring plate '6 (bent transversely at its bifurcated part) is in serted so that its bifurcated part strides the pin and imposes pressure in a central position upon the disc, so that its peripheral flange is pressed against the inner face of the front platec, the spring plate b being conveniently held in its set position by such means as a protruding part on the plate entering a hole set in determined position on the disc. A coin slot 'b (Figure 1) is provided in determined position in the disc 6 and a corresponding slot 0 is provided in the front plate 0 so that 011 a peripheral projecting part b (Figure 2) on the disc 6 being brought by the handle 6 into position against a fixed stop 0 provided on the rear face of the front plate 0, the respective slots 6", 0 will as illustrated in Figures 1 and 9 come into coincidence for the insertion of the coin, and on the insertion of a coin, the coin holder a may be rotated for example in a clockwise direction viewed from in front of the coin holder casing.

In the coincident positions ofthe slots Z)" andc (Figures 1 and 9) the handle Z2 will take the position indicated in Figure 9, so that after the coin has been inserted the handle is rotatable without communicating its movement to the disc Z) by reason of the handle being mounted in the manner hereinbefore described. Thus the coin slot 0 is covered before the movement of the handle 5 becomes effective in the rotation of the disc 6. By such means the coin slot 0 must necessarily be closed before engagement of the measuring wheel.

The coin holder a is advantageously disposed in a position beside the axis of the carrying disc 6, and may have a U-shaped transverse cross-section,and a cavity open at the respective ends or" the holder adapted for the accommodation of a. lengthwise sliding pawl p ate 0, by means of which engagement is made with the 'measuring wheel 7, and for the accommodation at its upper part of the operating coin. The upper part of the cavity is accessible to the coin through the slot 7) i the disc Z), which otherwise serves to form one end wall of thecoin holden The coin holder (1 maybe constructed of two parallel plates 1 and 2 secured to the disc by outwardly extending lugsa riveted to the disc Z) (ii-otherwise secured as by soldering, while the outer end wall maybe formed by a part of the plate 2 being bent into a position with respect to the :main c 01" the plate, and by the edge of the i being secured to it, as for example J l by rectangular holes being provided in the part a of the plate 2 adapted for the receplion of corresponding rectangular tenon-like projections provided at the front edge of the plate The sliding pawl plate 6 is advantageously disposed to slide in contact with the outer plate of the coin holder and any convenient means may be provided for the purpose. Thus at its lower end the plate 6 may be provided of a thickness corresponding to that of the lower part of the cavity inthe coin holder, or the plate cmay have integral projecting parts a Figure 11) at its lower end and each side, bent outwardly into position adjacent the inner wall or plate 1 of the coin holder. At the upper end the sliding pawl plate 0 is provided with an outwardly extend ng part c that is adapted to be accommodated andto slide within a notch or open slot or corresponding form in the upper part of the end wall a of the coin holder adjacent the outer wall 2. By such means the part c of the pawl plate a is guided in the notch or open slot, while at its upper endthe part c has an outward extension or tooth c having an angular lower edge adapted to between the teeth of the measuring wheel 7. The sliding pawl plate '0 is provided near its lower end with an outwardly protruding pin 0 which extends through a vertical slot in the plate or wall-1 of the coin holder, and is provided for the reception .ie lower end of a helical spring 6 the opend of which is secured to another pin wanted at the upper end or the plate or i lot the coin holder, in line parallel with the line of movement of the sliding pawl plate a, so that thus the latter is always subto the action of the spring 6 and tends always to maintain the outermost position permitted to by the slot (L5 The sliding pawl plate 0 is provided at or about the middle of its length with an aperture 6 through which thupper inwardly protruding flange g of the adjusting plate 9 extends that is mounted upon the outer face of thev wall 2 of the coin holder, the flange 9} extending into the coincident slots a 'pr0v1ded respectively in the inner plates 1 and2 of the coin holder, which are also coincident with the slot 6 in the plate 6 except that as illustrated in Figures 10 and 11 the slots a may extend below the slot 6 Thus the flange 9. of the adjusting plate 9 extends across the cavity in the coin holder and is thus adapted to serve for the support of the inserted coin.

The pin 6 extends through the plate 6 and serves at its reduced opposite end'for mounting the adjusting plate g. For this purpose a vertical slot 9 is provided in the adjusting plate 9, and a helical spring g isfmounted upon the reduced outwardly extending screw-threaded end of the pin 6 and is held in position by screw-threaded nut g. At the lower end, the adjusting plate 9 is provid ed with a flange 9 that is adapted to engage within one'of two transversely disposed slots e, e at the lower end of the pawl plate 6, and the adjusting plate 9 is adapted to be held within one or other of the slots e or e by the pressure of the helical spring 9 The outer wall 2 of the coin holder is at the lower end provided with an aperture a by which the flange g of the adjusting plate is accessible for engagement with either of the 1 slots 6 or 6 the aperture a in the outer wall of the coin holder in common with the apertures a on the inner wall and outer walls permit in the lower position of the adjusting plate 9 the movement of the tooth of the sliding pawl plate 6 as it moves inwardly to engage the measuring wheel 7 in the manner hereinafter described.

The adjusting plate 9 is provided at the upper and lower ends on the outer side with the forefinger. The lower end of the adjust-' ing plate g is thus raised by which thelower flange 9? may be withdrawn from one of the slots e or 6 whereby the plate 9 may then be moved upon the pin 6 and the plate set so that the lower flange may be engaged in the other of the slots, this movement being permitted to the plate 9 while its upper flange g is adapted to be moved within the aperture 6 in the plate 6 and in the apertures a in the inner and outer walls 1 and 2 of the coin holder. The rectilinear movement of the adjust-- ing plate may be facilitated by the provision of an outstanding flange a upon the inner edge of the aperture a in the'outer wall 2 of the coin holder. A central vertical slot is provided to extend from the aperture a to the aperture a in the plate or wall 2 of the coin holder, for the accommodation ofthe reduced end of the pin 6 in its movement on the adjustment of the plate 6.

ldeans are provided to effect the change of gear in the manner hereinbefore described on the movement of the adj listing plate 9 into the second or upper position of the adjusting plate, corresponding to that for a coin of a higher value, such as a shilling. Such means may consist'oi a stop plate or lever h which may be brought into position on the adjusting plate being brought into its effective position, whereby on the introduction of the coin holder intothe casing (Z the necessary change of gear is automatically e llected, Thus the stop plate may be provided as a lever h or the equivalent, that may be brought into operative position by actuation from the adjusting plate 9 as it assr. res second or upper position. In the illustrated construction theend wall a ol the coin holder is extended-forwardly at as and in this extension a circular hole a (Figure is provided, concentric with the axis upon whicl the coin holder at and the disc I) rotate, and oi such diameter as to permit entry of the end oi? an axially movable spindle by which the movement of the measuring wheel f is transmitted to the valve operating mecl anism of the meter, The inner plate 1 of the coin holder is provided with an outstanding inward extension 64 of the same shape as the extt ion a and with a similar circular and concentric hole a therein, and set in position and adjacent to the extension a with an interstitial space in which the stop plate or lever h is mounted upon a pin it carried upon a lower part of the end wall beneath the extension a but disposed inline with the extension 0 of the inner plate l of tire coin holder. The stop plate or lever 72, is so shaped and mounted that in the .4. leS

first or lowermost position of the adjusting plate 9 (Figure 2) theholes a are open, and a rearwardly extending part if is provided which engages within a lateral, recess formed at the edge of the adjusting plate g, and a notch h that is adapted to engage in the upper edge of the recess g when the adjusting plate in the lower position inclicated in Figure 2 and the pawl plate 6 is moved to engage the measuring wheel f. By such means in order to set the coin holder for operation by a coin of a value suchas a. penny or a shilling. it is only necessary to raise the lower end of the adjustingplate in the manner hereinbefore described and to set it into its upper or lower position, whereby if in its upper position for operation olia coin of the higher value, the holes a are obturated by the stop plate or lever h, and thus on the introduction of the coin holder so adjusted, into the casing, the spindle 2' will he moved axially to a determined extent intothe position indicated in Figure 4, or if the coin holder be set for operation of a coin of lower value, the spindle 2' will not be moved (as illustrated in Figure 1) but will be permitted to pass through the open holes a.

The casing cl in which the coin holder a is mounted has its integral rear wall adapted for mounting the measuring wheel f on the inside of the casin The measuring wheel 7 may be integrally provided with a rear- Wardly extending boss 7, having an external annular groove and a circular flange exposed at the rear face of the casing d. The rear wall of the casing may be re-inforced by a plate (1 and a bifurcated plate 7 bent transversely to the bifurcated part, may be adapted to stride the boss 7 at the position of the annular groove and to engage beneath the external head of the boss as a means securely to hold the boss 7' of the measuring wheel against axial displacement. The boss has a bore of a square or other cross-section according to the cross-sectional shape of the axially movable spindle i that is adapted to extend through. The measuring screw and gear may be carried upon an outwardly extending frame d supported from the rear wall of the casing (Z, the measuring screw being mountedin alignment with the axis of the coin holder a. For this purpose the carrying frame (Z may be set asymetrically in order that the vertically disposed spindle r maybe conveniently accommodated with the worm wheel 7 and worm a mounted upon it at a position beside the respective parts of the gear that are disposed coaxially with the axially movable spindle 2' to which move ment is communicated from the measuring wheel f. 'The frame (Z may consist of two parallel disposed longitudinal members secured at one end to the rear wall of the casing (Z, and at the other end being connected together by a transverse member (Z through which the reduced end 712 of an axially immovable sleeve 7c iscarried, while in a middle position a transverse wall (i is provided serving to support the opposite end of the axially immovable sleeve 79. The axially immovable sleeve 72 is provided of tubular form and for the main part of its length is provided with an internal screw-thread corresponding to the externalscrew-thread provided upon the measuring screw y', it being understood that the measuring screw 7' has on its inner end a grooved collar Z adapted to engage a lever by means of which the meter valve is operated in known manner. The measuring screw j is also of tubular form and has its bore or part thereof of a transverse cross-section corresponding to the axially movable spindle 2' which passes through it. Thus the measuring screw ,7 is adapted to move into and out of the axially immovable sleeve is in the operation of the gear.

Near the outer end, the axially immovable sleeve is provided with two longitudinal slots k in opposite positions and parallel with its axis, through which slots may pass a pin m transversely set, that engages the end higher value such as a shilling, the axially movable spindle 2' is forced to move against the transversely disposed pin m and to cause the axial movementof the rotating sliding sleeve m from one extreme position indicated in Figure 1 to the other indicated in Figure l; this movement being effected for example against the resistance of a'helical spring 76 mounted within the outer end of the axially immovable sleeve 6; it being understood that the extent of movement of the axially movable spindle z' and the rotating sliding sleeve m is equivalent to that of the transversely disposed pin m within its respective slots 10 in the axially immovable sleeve-7c.

The carrying frame (Z at a position beyond the intermediate transverse wall d may be provided for the support of the spindle a to which movement is communicated in usual manner from the meter. The spindle n is provided with two worms 0, p in adjacent positions, one worm 0 engaging a worm wheel 7 provided beneath and upon the inner end of the rotating sliding sleeve m, while the second worm p engages a worm wheel 7' mounted upon the upper end of a vertically disposed spindle r that may be suitably supported from the adjacent longitudinal member of the frame (Z A worm s is mounted upon the spindle 1' and is set in such position that the worm wheel q provided upon the rotating sliding sleeve we may engage with the worm s on the sleeve m being moved into its outermost position (Figure 4c) cor responding to the adjustment of the coin holder for the use of 'a coin of higher value, such as a shilling; so that by such means the movement imparted from themeter may in the second position of the rotating sliding sleeve on be considerably reduced by the interposition of the second worm p and worm wheel 9', the respective gear ratios being de termined according to the respective coin values and the amount of gas to be supplied in the use of coins of those-values.

It will be understood that on the insertion of a coin through the coin slots 0 I) into the coin holder (4 and on the rotation of the handle Z1 in the clockwise direction, the slid ng pawl plate 6 is depressed so that the tooth e engages in one of the interstitial spaces of the teeth of the measuring wheel 7,

by reason of the fact that the coin is of larger diameter than the depth of thefla-nge g which formsthe bottom of the coin space in the co n holder. lhus on the coin being introduced the flan e is de JIQSSGfl a ainst 9 r: J o

theresistance of the helical spring 6 with the consequent engagement of the measuring wheel f by the tooth 6 whereby theupper edge of the coin protruding beyond'the upper edge of the coin holder is pressed into con:

tact with the internal nerioher oi the ca ing d. The, casing (Z is provided on its internal periphery with a series of equidistant and parallel recesses (Z (Figuresl and 2) of a saw-toothed section, whereby in the rotation of-the coin holder in. a clockwise direction, the protruding edge of the coin slides over the recesses (Z so that onany attempt being ma le to reverse the movement of thecoin holder, the outer edge of thecoin would engage against the short or substan tially radial face of one of the recesses (Z and thus the return of the coin holder would be prevented until it completes its clockwise travel into a position opposite. the'coin discharge slot or opening (Z providedin the lower part of the casing (Z, adjacent thestop d", which thus arrests the coin holder-at the position of discharge through the said" slot or opening, whereupon as the coin holder in this position is inverted the coin falls into the coin receptacle," and the-c0111 holder may then be returnedby a reverse movement'into lts 1n1t1a1 positlon with the com slots 0 and b in coincidence.

It will be understood that the illustrated mechanism may. be designedfor the successive use of a limited number of coins, that ,is

to say for example to the limit of QOOV cubic feet of gas inthe use of penny, coins, and of 2,400 cubic feet of gas in the use or shilling coins. Thus on a number of coins being suc cessively used in the manner described up to the limit of the mechanism, means may be employed to prevent any further opera tion of the mechanism. Such means may consist of a lever u (Figures 7 and 8) having at its lower end a transversely extending part n thatis adapted to move up intoa position completely to closethe'coindischarge slot (Z Thelever u is advantageously mounted upon a" spindle a and one of the ends .Qfthe spindle may conveniently be carried within a hole or bearing provided for its reception in. the end Wall of the casingci, while the opposite end may be supported by a pin a on the transverse wall 6150f the supporting frame. The upper. end of the, lever a may-be diverted rearwardly atu in a line parallel with the axis of the spindle i and of the measuring screw j, and the diverted part fu" may be provided with an inclined edgeju whereby under the weight of the lower part of the lever a, the part a maintains contact with the rear peripheral edgeofthe grooved collar 3 of the measuring screw, so that thus on the successive rotation-of the measuring screw j on the insertion of a number of coins, the grooved collar Z in moving rearwardly towards the casing (Z will cause the part a of the lever 10 to be moved outwards whereby the transversely extending part a of the lever will come to lie immediately beneath the coin discharge slot (Z Thus as the measuring screw again moves forward on the gas being consumed, the transverse part {a of the lever moves from under the coin discharge slot d In this way the coin holder alter successive operation with a determined number ofcoins is rendered inoperable until the gas paid for is consumed, and the lever '11 moves so that its transversely extending part a passes from beneath the coin discharge slot (Z An indicator may advantageously be provided which may be supported by the transverse "part a of the lever, and this may take the form of a rod 4), which extends upwardly and acrossthe casing (Z in the position indicated in Figures 7 and 8, so that the end of the rod may be diverted upwardly as an indicating finger 22 within the casing '0 against a calibrated scale 12 the upper part of the scale being denoted in volume of gas in return for coins of the higher value, and the lower part of the scale in volume of gas in return for coins of a lower value. Thus the indicating finger '0 indicates to the consumer the amount of gas available for con sumption on the operation of the pre-payment mechanism in return'for a determinednumber of coins of higheror lower value up to the limits in capacity of the mechanism, and the amount of gas that remains available for consumption at any moment in the consumption of the gas paid for.

It will thus be understood that the mechanism is adapted to be set for operationby the use of coins of two different values merely by the adjustment of the adjusting plate 9 in the manner hereinbefore described, whereby the rate of movement of the measuringscrew on reverse operation from the meter is altered in the manner hereinbefore described.

As illustrated in Figures 1 and 7 of the drawings the lower end of the spindle 7" may be mounted within a' transverse slot. in the lower bearing plated formed integral with the supporting frame member d and a leaf spring w may be secured to the adja cent longitudinal member of the supporting frame (Z so that its free end applies a certain amount of pressure at the lower end of the spindle r to facilitate the accommodation of the worm s to the worm wheel q on the change of gear and to maintain the worm in engagement.

It will be understood that any other me chanical means than hereinbefore described may be employed to bring the stop plate or on introduction the equivalent in position upon the adjustment of the coin holder, but that the independent adjustment of the stop plate or the equivalent and of the coin holder or the ad justing plate is within the scope of the invention. i

Thus the method of mounting the adj usting plate on the coin holder may vary widely in detail, while providing in a simple and convenient way for the movement of the adjusting plate relatively to the pawl plate 6. Thus again instead of providing thestop plate as a lever itnia-y be provided as an e.\' tension of oraddit-ion to the adjusting plate 9 and be adapted to come into its elii'ectve position on the adjusting plate being moved. Similarly whenp'roviding the'stop plate as a lever it may be otherwise connected or be operable from the adjusting plate. Again any other alternative gearing may be employed operable in therespective positions of the sleeve m or its equivalent, on actuation in the manner hereinbei ore described.

It will furthermore be understood that the invention may be applied for use with more than two coins in which event more than one stop plate or its equivalent may be provided, with a corresponding number of gearchanges in the manner hereinbeitore described. v

It will furthermorebe understood that the mechanism as hereinb-efore described may be incorporated within the meter casing in known manner and protected against unauthori-zedaccessto it.

1. In prepayment mechanism for gas and similar meters adapted for operation by coins of more than one value, the provision of a coin holder casing, a coin holder "For reception within said casing, an element movable relatively to and carried by 'iid coin holder whereby the coin space is adjusted accord-' ing tothe size of the coin in use, a measuring element for operation by saidcoin holder, change gear connected to said measuring elements, for varying the gear ratio of the mechanism according to the value of the coin in use, an axially movable part adapted in its axial movement to adjust said change gear, and a stop member upon said coin holder movable into and out of line with the axially movable part in dependence upon the variation of the coin'space the said axial movement being effected by said stop member of the coin holder into the casing.

2. In prepayment mechanism for gas and similar meters adapted for operation by coins of more than one value, the provision of a coin holder casing, a coin holder adapted for reception within said casing, an element movable relativelyv to'and carried by said coin holder whereby the coin space is adjusted according to the size of thecoin used,

a measuring element for operationiby saidcoin holder, a member mounted in said coin holder andadjustable in position according positions on introduction of the coin'hol-der nit-o the coin llOlClQlCilSlIlg to cause a. change in gear ratio of the mechanism according to the value of the coin used.

3. In prepayment ln6Cl13J11SIl1'fOI';gLS and similar meters, a coin holder casing, acoin holder adapted forreception within saidvcoin: holder casing, an ad ustable PilltrlII'SttlCl'CQHI holder for varying the coin space according to the size of the coin intended'to be used, a measuring element for operation by said com h older, a stop member of ad ustable position moved by said adjustablepart' of'the coin. holder, a change gear for variation of the: gear ratio of the mechanism, an ZIXllllYlIlOVe able member adapted in itsaxial'movement to eiiect adjustment of the change" gear ac cording .to the value of: the: coin intended to:

be used, said axially movable part being operated from the said stop memberrupon the coin holder being set into position'withinaits casing.

l. In prepayment mechanism for gas and similar meters adapted for operation by coins of more than one value, a coin holder casing, a coin holder for reception within said casing, means upon said coin holder for. adjustment of the coin space according to the value of the coin intended to be used, a measuring i element for operation by said coin holder, a

change gear for etiectingvariationin the gear ratio of the mechanism according to the value of the coin intended to be used, an axially movable spindle adapted by its axial movement to effect ad'ustment of the chan e "ear and a stop member upon the coin holder which is adjustable in position in correspondence with the adjustment of the coin space, said stop member serving on introduction of the coin holder into the coin holder casing to cause axial movement of the axially movable spindle according as the coin space of the coin holder may have been adjusted for the reception of a coin of a value other than i the normal value.

5. In prepayment mechanism as specified value other than that which it would receive before adjustment, and a stOp member upon said coin holder movable in correspondence with the adjustment of the coin space into a position in which it may actuate the axially movable spindle to cause the variation in the gear ratio of the mechanism to correspond to the value of the coin to be used on insertion of the coin holder into the coin holder casing.

6. Prepayment mechanism for gas and similar meters, comprising a coin holder casing,

"a rotatable coin holder for reception within said casing, a toothed measuring wheelfals'o'v contained within said (coin holder casing, a sliding pawl plate within said coin holder to operate sa1d measuring wheel, an ad usting plate upon said sliding pawl-plate, the said adjusting plate being adjustable lengthwise of the coin holder to be movably set upon the sliding pawl plate to varythe depth of. the coin space'for the accommodation o1 coins of different values and to be movable with the sliding pawl plate inuthe operation of the coin holder,-a stop member carried by said coin holder and. movable in correspondence with said adjusting plate, a change gear for varying the ratio of the mechanism according to the value of the coin intended to be used, and an axially movable spindle for effecting the adjustment of the change gear, the said stop member serving on introduction of the coin holder'into the coin holder casing to eifect 'axialmovement of the axially movable spindle according as the stop member is ad justed in a position other than the normal position.

7 ..In prepayment mechanism for gas which the axially movable spindle is co-axial withand extends into the coin holder casing, and a stop member comprising a pivoted stop plate Whichon adjustmentis moved from an inoperative position to a position in which it engages and moves the axially movable spindie on introduction of the coin holder into the coin holder casing.

8. In prepayment mechanism for gas and similar meters as specified in claim 6, in'which said change gear comprises a measuring screw, an axially immovable sleeve having an internal thread in which the said measuring screw is adapted to engage, a sliding sleeve upon the said axially immovable sleeve, a gear wheel mounted upon the said sliding sleeve and gear elements with which the said gear wheel may engage in succession on axial movement of the said sleeve, the said sleeve being moved by the axially movable spindle, and a spring to oppose said movement.

9. In prepayment mechanism for and similar meters adapted for operation by coins of more than one value, the provision of a coin holder casing, a coin holder for reception within said casing, an element movable relatively to and carried by said ic'oin holder whereby the coin space is adjusted according to the size of the coin used, a; measuring ele ment for operation by said coin holder, change gear by which variation of the gear ratioof the mechanism may be effected according to the value of the coin intended to be used, said change gear comprising. co-axial right and left hand worms relatively non-rotatable, a'

and similar meters as specified 1n'-cla1nr 6, 111

adapted in one position to engage the second of the co-axial worms, and in another posiii on to engage the Worm co-axial with the first worm wheel, an axially movable part adapted the variation of the coin space the said axial movement being effected by said stop member on introduction of the coin holder into the casing.

' 10. In prepayment mechanism for gas and similar meters, the provision of a coin holder casing with a coin discharge opening, a coinv holder for reception and movement within said casing, a measuring element actuated by said coin holder, gearing through which said measuring element is actuated reversely from the meter mechanism, a shutter movable about the exterior 'of the coin holder casing on an axis parallel with that of the coin holder to obturate the said coin discharge opening, a cam element controlling the position of said shutter and operated from said measuring element, said shutter closing said c'oin discharge opening on prepayment of a maximum volume of the commodity to be measured.

11. In prepayment mechanism for gas and similarmeters as specified in claim 10, the

revision of a scale indicatin the uantit of commodity for which prepayment has been made, and a pointer c-o-opcrati'ng with said scale and actuated from and integral with said shutter.

'12. In prepayment mechanism for gas and similar meters adapted for operation by coins of more than one value, the provision of a coin holder casing, a coin holder for reception Within said casing, a movable element in' said coin holder whereby the coin space is adapted to receive the particular size of coins used, a measuring element actuated by said coin holder, change gear by which variation in the gear ratio' of the mechanism may be eii ected according to the value of the coin intended to be used, an axially movable part adapted in its axial movement to adjust said change gear, and a stop member upon said coin holder movable into and out of line with the axially movable part according to the size of the coin space the said axial movement being effected by said stop member on introduction of the coin holder into the casing where said coin holder is adapted for the reception of a coin of a size other than that represented by the normal setting of the change gear.

STEPHEN SIMPSON. ERNEST WVILLIAM SMITH. SANDFORD ROBINSON. 

